You can’t get married or have a civil union in NZ without a marriage licence. You need to arrange your licence at least 3 working days before you want to get married. It costs $150 if using a celebrant and $240 if getting married at a registry office.

You can change your civil union to a marriage (or your marriage to a civil union) without dissolving your current relationship. You need to complete a form and hold another marriage or civil union ceremony.

Celebrants can legally perform marriages and/or civil unions in New Zealand. If you want to become a celebrant, you can choose to be independent or connected with an approved church or organisation. Once you're registered you need to renew your registration each year and keep your contact details up-to-date.

Before you die you can make decisions about your funeral, who looks after your children and what happens to the things you own after you die. You can also organise your finances, including insurance and unpaid debt.

If you were born in NZ and you're adopted, once you turn 20 you can request your original birth certificate, and any information about your adoption records held by Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children.